The South American firm MAPA Architects recently unveiled the first of its Minimod (which is short for Minimal Modular) tiny homes, which can be used for a variety of purposes, from a tiny vacation home, to a hotel. In other words, these modular units are incredibly adaptable and can be assembled together to form a dwelling of any size. The separate units resemble shipping containers at first glance, but that is not what the company is using to construct them.

The firm Djuric Tardio Architectes built a green, prefab family home, which is located in Antony-Paris, France. The home blends in nicely with the surrounding houses in this old neighborhood, yet still boasts a number of very sustainable and modern features. The two-story family home measures around 808 square feet (246 square meters) and is built using only wood panels.

Tiny homes can quickly turn out too cramped, resulting in claustrophobia. But when done right, these houses are a great way to live sustainably and affordably. The latest example of tiny home architecture done right comes from South Africa in the form of the lifePOD, designed by a team of architects called Collaborate000. They were assisted by product designers Dokter and Missses.

The Dutch firm 2by4 Architects recently launched a line of unique tiny prefab homes, which can serve a variety of purposes, such as a vacation home, office guest room and more. They can also be taken off the grid, and could actually be used for a permanent residence too.

The Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) are high-end, luxury prefab homes, which are capable of producing more energy that they require. These homes were created by French designer and architect Philippe Starck in collaboration with Slovenian prefabricated housing specialist Riko. The two partners are selling these homes under the name “Starck with Riko”.Read more »

At first glance, the Tintaldra House developed by modular homebuilder Modscape, looks a lot like an example of shipping container architecture. But the home, located on the southern banks of the Murray River in Tintaldra, Australia, is actually a highly sustainable modular home that uses no shipping containers in its construction. It could though, given its shape and floor plan.Read more »